SHILLONG: The protest against the arrest of CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing and the eviction and demolition of houses at Umsawli area by MUDA, entered its second day on Tuesday with residents of Umsawli area led by RTI activist Angela Rangad staging a sit-in demonstration at Khyndailad here.
The protesters have also questioned the denial of bail to Kharshiing on Tuesday and have decided to wait till Wednesday for the court’s decision before deciding on their future course of action.
“Bail is our right as per the law. Even a rapist gets bail and Agnes is just an activist. She has the right to get bail,” Rangad said, adding that the government cannot take away people’s liberty.
When asked whether the denial of bail to Kharshiing is politically motivated, Rangad refused to comment stating, “I just hope that the Judiciary is independent.”
On Monday, the local residents of Umsawli area under New Shillong Township, who were termed as ‘illegal settlers or encroachers’ and evicted by MUDA, had staged a protest at General’s Point here in the city.
Voicing out their grievances, the affected families had challenged the government to book them if they were found to be illegal settlers of the area as MUDA had claimed, while adding that the people are insecure as a result of which, they will be forced to utilize their rights of protesting against the government’s tyrannical attitude.
The RTI activist has been claiming that the eviction drive was carried out without any prior notice which is a violation of the Supreme Court’s order and it was the duty of the government to rehabilitate these people before demolishing their houses.